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*** UPDATE 6 *** Full audio of Quinn comments…
*** UPDATE 5 *** From WBBM Radio…
[Quinn] says the Wisconsin Democrats are welcome to stay here until Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, in Quinn’s words, “comes to his senses.”
There were rumors a group of senators were holed up in McCormick Place, site of the Chicago Auto Show, holding strategy meetings. The have said they may stay away for weeks if necessary.
“We welcome them to the Chicago Auto Show,” said Quinn, who was touring the show on Friday.
“In Illinois, we always believed in working together as a team and not kicking somebody in the shins,” Quinn added. Public employees, like teachers, “deserve some respect.”
Governor Walker, Quinn says, need to take another look at the legislation.
*** UPDATE 4 *** One of the cheesehead Senators says the Democrats could stay here for weeks, if necessary…
A leading Wisconsin senator who fled to the Chicago area with fellow Democrats says all 14 will gather for a meeting somewhere in Illinois.
But state Sen. Jon Erpenbach won’t say where or exactly when the meeting will take place on Friday. He says it should be within driving distance of Chicago.
The Associated Press asked if it was proper for Wisconsin legislators to hold a secret meeting out of the state. He responded by likening the meeting to a closed caucus.
*** UPDATE 3 *** I’ve replaced the #Wisconsin hashtag with some major media Tweeters up there in Cheesehead Land. A bit easier on the senses, I think…
*** UPDATE 2 *** Silly cheesehead…
State Senator Chris Larson, one of the Democrats who is remaining in Illinois to stall the vote on Governor Scott Walker’s measure, tells me that another Dem Senator — who he declined to name — returned home late yesterday to try to get some sleep. That Senator’s staff reported to Larson that police visited his home, but that the Senator had managed to slip away before cops could apprehend him.
“Police were sent over to his house, but he was able to get out of there,” Larson told me.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Senate President Cullerton makes fun of the Cheesehead in Chief…
Illinois Senate President John Cullerton is again thanking Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker for his contributions to Illinois’ economic rebound.
“I must say, I really did not expect Governor Walker to work this hard to make Illinois look so good. Once again, I’d like to thank Governor Walker for his ongoing efforts to market Illinois as a great place to live and work,” Cullerton said. “First he let everyone know how much lower our tax rates are than his, now he’s focusing on how much more stable Illinois is than the chaotic Wisconsin he’s created. I can’t wait to hear how he’ll help us next.”
The Illinois Senate President issued his comments upon learning that Wisconsin Senate Democrats had sought refuge in Illinois in an effort to get the Wisconsin governor to reconsider his heavy-handed ultimatums and efforts to strip public sector employees of workplace rights and protections.
Cullerton welcomed his Wisconsin colleagues to Illinois and hoped they’d enjoy their stay in stable, low-tax Illinois, where even with the recent tax increases the rates are lower than in Wisconsin. The Senate President also thanked Walker for the added and unexpected economic boost.
“He’s even helping our tourism. What can’t Governor Walker do for Illinois?” said Cullerton.
Cullerton’s office also says the Senate President has “contacted the office of the Democratic Senate Leader in Wisconsin to offer his support and assistance.”
* The Rockford Register-Star caught up with some of those fleeing Wisconsin state Senators yesterday…
A contingent of Democratic Wisconsin state senators fled Madison today and convened at the Clock Tower Resort and Conference Center in Rockford to block movement on a controversial budget bill.
Republicans hold a 19-14 majority in the Wisconsin Senate, but they need at least one Democrat to be present before taking a vote on the bill.
“This is pretty significant legislation that would take away decades of collective bargaining rights,” Democratic state Sen. Jim Holperin, who represents the 12th District in northeast Wisconsin, said in Rockford today.
“The proposal was only given to us Tuesday,” he said. “We need more than three days, and the people of Wisconsin need more than three days, to understand what’s in the bill, to discuss what’s in the bill and to consider the ramifications of what’s in the bill before we vote on it.”
Holperin and nine of his Democratic colleagues arrived at the Clock Tower about 10:30 a.m. [yesterday]. They left the hotel by 4 p.m., and it was unclear when they would return to Wisconsin.
So, apparently, they split soon after their whereabouts were discovered.
* More…
A Rockford hotel and water park took on a circus-like atmosphere Thursday as a band of runaway Wisconsin legislators milled about the lobby and parking lot, a news chopper hovered overhead and a TV reporter chased after a leprechaun. […]
A hotel official said the politicians never checked in and left around midafternoon. […]
Once the lawmakers left, locals seemed unsure where they might have gone. Some believed they were still in Rockford, but a sampling of other nearby hotels and eateries came up empty.
Nothing at the Holiday Inn. No sign of the senators at the Hilton. Big Al’s Bar wasn’t a hideout either, and the locals there seemed politely disinterested.
At least one of those Senators is now in Chicago.
* RR-Star’s video…
* A Rockford tea party member was also at the hotel and attempted to confront a Democratic Senator…
* A couple of Quad Cities lawmakers weighed in…
Republican State Representative Rich Morthland said he can’t believe lawmakers would run away from the state, while Democratic State Senator Mike Jacobs holds the governor responsible for this mess by supporting an anti–union bill.
“Turning state legislature into a game of hide and seek is not an example of good government,” said Morthland, “I know it’s difficult, but you can’t fix a problem if you’re not in the room.”
“Maybe the governor of Wisconsin is looking at the wrong person to blame,” Jacobs said, “it seems to me he should have done the responsible thing and that would have been to either cut his government or increase his tax.”
* Sen. Dick Durbin also got into the act…
“Workers across the country should have the right to stand together for fair compensation and a safe workplace,” Durbin said. “Wisconsin’s teachers and state workers should not be badgered by a governor who refuses to sit down and work out a fair compromise.
“This time around, this Chicago Bears fan is rooting for Wisconsin and its workers,” Durbin continued.
* Related…
* Fun Things for Wisconsin Democrats to Do on Vacation in Rockford, IL
* GOP might not need Democrats to pass controversial legislation: The Wisconsin Constitution, however, only requires that three-fifths of each chamber to be in attendance for “any law which imposes, continues or renews a tax, or creates a debt or charge, or makes, continues or renews an appropriation of public or trust money, or releases, discharges or commutes a claim or demand of the state.” So if Republicans included non-fiscal, but still controversial provisions, in a separate bill — including, potentially, the provisions regarding collective bargaining — legally they’d only need 17 senators for a vote to be held, Esenberg said. That means Republicans could vote without a single Democrat being present, he said.
* Wisconsin in near-chaos over anti-union bill
* Dems say they won’t return before Saturday
* Lost: The common good
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 9:51 am
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And we thought only Illinois politics could bring this kind of entertainment to the populace!
Comment by Fed-Up Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 10:08 am
Why don’t they just raise taxes?It works in Illinois.
Comment by sylvia Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 10:09 am
I was in Tejas when Dem legislators fled to New Mexico to deny the Republicans a quorum on the dastardly Tom DeLay mid-decade redistricting scheme. It created a similar circus but was eventually unsuccessful. DeLay and his cronies passed a plan that increased GOP Congressional seats, and was designed to draw every white Democrat out if his district.
Maybe the Wisconsin Dems will have more leverage, but I doubt it.
Comment by Ray del Camino Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 10:09 am
–Asked if he has the authority to retrieve them (the Senators) out-of-state, Walker said, “That’s a really big question for us.”–
An allegedly small-government, “conservative” governor contemplating arresting opposition state lawmakers in other states. We live in interesting times.
It would make quite an issue for Illinois authorities if he tried to pull a stunt like that here.
Walker is also quoted in today’s papers as saying he won’t be “bullied” or “intimidated” by the Madison protesters.
That’s quite a brave statement. Judging from the film and photos I’ve seen of the protesters, you generally don’t see a band of goons, cutthroats and desperadoes like that outside of a church picnic or school fun fair.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 10:10 am
dear wisconsin democrats:
feel free to come down to the south suburbs of chicago. matteson, tinley park, oak lawn, etc — we have wonderful hotels! and we won’t have to be afraid of those pesky tea partiers mulling about. we love our heroes down here! you’ll be welcome here…
Comment by bored now Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 10:11 am
If the Wisconsinites trek to the Chain of Lakes to enjoy some bullhead fishing, then I will be worried that they are going to migrate South and set up shop here permanently.
Comment by Abandon Ship Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 10:16 am
They may have moved to Freeport, where they can make a quick, clandestine resupply run to New Glarus for Limburger and Spotted Cow.
Comment by WRMNpolitics Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 10:22 am
Those guys are stupid enough to qualify as Illinois politicians.
Comment by just sayin' Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 10:30 am
I can remember this being threatened in IL. because George Ryan was going to send the SOS police to retrieve them. I don’t think that it really happened though.
How comical, if you aren’t involved in it, I guess.
Comment by PPHS Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 10:32 am
In the town they’re searching for us every where
But we never will be found
Band on the run
Band on the run
And the county judge who held a grudge
Will search for evermore
For the band on the run.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 10:35 am
The excuse for lack of time to understand the bill is simply disingenuous.
When the former Governor and the then Democrat dominated legislature pushed a $1 billion spending package in 24 hours, there was no discussion of needing more time to understand what was in the bill.
Do the protesters really prefer to lay off thousands of workers, rather than rework the benefits for all?
15.2% of wage earners in WI are represented by unions. I wonder what the percentage of that group is for governmental workers?
Comment by Plutocrat03 Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 10:36 am
Personally, I don’t understand what the rallying-cry of the union protesters actually is. It seems like what they want is continued immunity from the economic reality. Clearly, they know that position won’t really win over taxpayers, and that’s why they need to use children as ‘human shields’ in their fight to remain “more equal than others.”
Comment by grand old partisan Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 10:39 am
The Dem legislators are wrong! Their evasion represents a serious threat to democracy. The Republicans won the election. Their flight thwarts the will of Wisconsin voters. Go back, legislators. Do your lawful duty. Then run for reelection. And try to get more Democrats elected next time If you don’t like it. Sickening.
Comment by Mannix Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 10:44 am
Curious to see if anyone has seen WI/ national poll figures on this whole thing?
Comment by Bring Back Boone's Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 10:52 am
While discussing the “escape from Wisconsin” the following points from the WSJ article about WI were the topic of water cooler/coffee machine conversation this morning: Mr. Walker’s proposal would take away the ability of most government employees to collectively bargain for benefits. They could still bargain for higher wages, but future wage increases would be capped at the federal Consumer Price Index, unless otherwise specified by a voter referendum. The bill would also require union members to contribute 5.8% of salary toward their pensions and chip in 12.6% of the cost of their health insurance premiums.
Under Governor Walker’s proposal, the government also would no longer collect union dues from paychecks and then send that money to the unions. Instead, unions would be responsible for their own collection processes and costs. The bill would also require unions to be recertified annually by a majority of all members.
To the non-union employees around our coffee klatch, including those quite sympathetic to labor unions in general, and comprising a fair balance of R’s and Dems, these provisions do not seem unreasonable and do not seem to merit the extent and type of hysteria being televised. Just sayin’.
Comment by Responsa Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 10:53 am
This whole stunt is childish and irresponsible, but what the hey. Tax them as part year Illinois residents.
Comment by Excessively Rabid Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 11:02 am
Can I just saw this “citizen journalist” crap is getting really old.
Comment by Anon Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 11:11 am
say not saw… sorry
Comment by Anon Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 11:20 am
@anon 11:11…I was going to post the same thing. Is journalism truly running across the parking lot with a flip cam asking loaded questions?
Comment by Vote Quimby! Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 11:20 am
Maybe NoTaxBill and Daddy’s Little Deduction can rush to the border, scamble up some teabaggers and prevent WI Ds from coming to IL. Maybe CommdoMakeItUp pitch in too. That what we need. A border patrol.
Where’s Gags Brady and Billboards when we need them. This was a serious invasion.
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 11:25 am
===This was a serious invasion. ===
I think it was more of a probe. And it was hugely successful. They made it all the way to Rockford without detection.
And then they melted into the background. Scary stuff.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 11:31 am
So will Cullerton be offering his support if King Madigan makes his play to take a whack at State employees pensions here in Illinois? He seems to be willing to stand up for the State workers of another State. Is he willing to do the same for his own?
Comment by Irish Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 11:39 am
Wisconsin and Indiana governors promote our lower tax rate (even after the recent increase)
New Jersey governor spends his state’s tax money on our billboards, radio stations and hotels.
Wisconsin legislators spend money in our hotels and restaurants.
…Yup - Quinn’s doing a-ok despite GOP predictions of a Quinnpocalypse.
—
Related: “Lost: The common good”
The Trib really needs to learn some facts before writing editorials. They completely ignored all the onerous, new, and overtly radical REGULATIONS Gov. Cheesebrain wants to impose on hard-working Wisconsinites.
The Tribbles also ignored the tens of millions in taxpayer dollars that the Wisc GOP handed over to profitable corporations no questions asked.
The land of cheese and beer started the year with a balanced budget and even a surplus. Gov. Cheesebrain blew a huge hole in their budget, manufacturing this made-up budget “non-crisis”, with his giveaways to the rich… and the Trib and other cons blame hard-working middle class folk.
Why go after unions? They represent some of the few remaining jobs that conservatives can’t ship overseas.
When will the conservatives war on hard-working Americans end?
Comment by G. Willickers Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 11:47 am
The Wisconsin Democratic road-trippers just need to find a good bar across the border and declare a new State of Mind.
Some “slightly older” readers will remember the M*A*S*H episode “A Night at Rosie’s.”
Cribbed from ReviewStream.com…
“After two days of non-stop surgery, Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda) secedes from the war. Sergeant Jerry Scully, Hawkeye, and B.J. Hunnicutt (Mike Farrell) decide to quit the war and they declare the bar to be an independent nation called Rosieland. One by one, the word spreads about this new nation until just about everyone is inside Rosie’s.”
Sounds good. Happy hour starts early this week! T.G.I.F.
Comment by Statewide Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 11:48 am
- returned home late yesterday to try to get some sleep. -
Does this strike anyone else as making absolutely no sense?
Comment by Small Town Liberal Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 11:48 am
Wonder if the Wisconsin State Senators passed a bus or van filled with IEA members traveling to Madison to show their solidarity with teacher’s union members in Madison? The teacher’s unions are quite good at padding a crowd with out of district activists to make for better photographs and news coverage on television.
Comment by A Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 12:06 pm
@- Ray del Camino - Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 10:09 am:
Regarding that Texas incident - thanks for the reminder. I was trying to remember when that had happened most recently and what the result was. The fact that it was democrats who ran away when they weren’t getting their way suggests a pattern, IMO. The republicans in DC didn’t run away when they were having leglisation rammed thru w/out discussion or compromise - they stood up and were counted even tho they eventually lost. The republicans in Illinois didn’t run away to Missouri when it looked like they wouldn’t be able to prevent the recent huge tax increase - they stayed in their seats, fought the good fight and voted. They may have lost but they didn’t shy away from their sworn duties.
Wisconsin democratic senators are cowards.
Comment by dupage dan Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 12:07 pm
Memo to Governor Walker,
Demand that the school districts audit their payroll lists for teachers claiming sick days during the past three days.
Comment by A Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 12:08 pm
If Walker, Cheesehead Ranger, keeps attempting to arrest Senators, my guess is that the Dems will maneuver it so that it will be Sen. Risser of Madison.
He’s 83-years-old, has been in the legislature since 1956 (longest-serving state legislator in the country) and his family has been prominent in Wisconsin government since the state’s founding.
Film at 10.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 12:09 pm
OK now we’re getting even! Jesse Jackson is on the case!
Comment by Responsa Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 12:11 pm
“The republicans in DC didn’t run away…”
They used the procedure known as cloture (filibuster). WI Dems are using a procedure known as Quorum.
Comment by MikeMacD Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 12:11 pm
DD, lighten up. These kind of tactics to avoid quorums are as old as the republic.
Lincoln jumped out the window, remember? Was he a coward, too?
Sen. Packwood, a smooth GOPer from Oregon, once refused to leave his office and insisted that the Sergeant of Arms carry him into the Senate.
It’s nothing personal to your guy, just business.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 12:18 pm
Both sides should sit down and hash this out. There has to be some give and take . The pols and unions created this mess,they should get it fixed,
ASAP.
Comment by mokenavince Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 12:20 pm
I rather admire the WI Senate Democrats for holding out to support the state workers. It’s not like they’re trying to impede or slow down everything on the Governor’s agenda. I can understand the proposal to cut employee benefits, but going after decades-old bargaining rights is another thing entirely. As the old proverb goes, “you reap what you sow.”
Comment by Going nuclear Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 12:36 pm
BOTH sides seem to be itching for a fight designed to make themselves look good to a national audience, with not enough thought for the good of the state itself.
The unions went ballistic over proposals that, for the most part, don’t seem unreasonable. But Walker overreached by attacking the right of collective bargaining itself, tossing around the notion of calling out the National Guard. The result: what could have been a tough but productive negotiation process instead turned into all-out war.
It didn’t have to be this way. On the other side of the pond in Michigan, for example, their GOP governor is also seeking major concessions from public employee unions but is doing so through regular negotiation, instead of treating them as enemies to be destroyed at all costs. We’ll see which approach works better in the long term.
Comment by Secret Square Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 12:41 pm
Lovie Smith: I still cannot understand how we lost to these guys in the NFC title game. Everybody is crazy up there.
Comment by Esquire Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 12:45 pm
Wow, a lot of knuckleheads are spouting off in the twitter feed. Let’s see if we can keep score: references to Mubarek/Taliban/Dictator v. references to Obama’s SS/DFA Thugs.
It might be time to turn that off Rich, lest people here get the idea that the proper way to debate is to simply shout louder than the other guy.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 12:53 pm
Keep in mind that Governor Walker formerly served as the Chief Executive of the Milwaukee County Board. He was elected as a Republican to preside over a Democrat dominated county board in a county that routinely elects Democrats. He slashed the budget of the county parks and laid off workers at all of the county golf courses.
Bottom line: Walker has been in battles before without a legislative majority. This fight ain’t over by a long shot.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 12:54 pm
Wow…they are complaining that they only got 3 days to review the bill before a vote? They should come to Illinois where major league issues pass within hours (income tax hike, pension reform).
Three days is like 3 months in Illinois politics!
Comment by 4 percent Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 12:55 pm
“Wisconsin’s teachers and state workers should not be badgered by a governor who refuses to sit down and work out a fair compromise.”
Sen. Dick Durbin wastes no opportunity for a good pun!
Comment by aaronsinger Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 1:17 pm
There is really no legal authority to arrest a legislator just for not showing up -either in Wisconsin or Illinois. They can choose not to attend if they wish. Leaders always claim that they have such power, to intimidate members. An arrest without probable cause for a crime is illegal; and I knew lawyers who were ready to sue the Speaker and the State if their legislative clients had actually been arrested last time this was threatened.
Comment by formerpolitico Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 1:21 pm
The fugitive Dems apparently plan on hunkering down in the Land of Lincoln for a while.
http://host.madison.com/news/state_and_regional/article_cdc0b2cd-a5fb-5496-a51d-7a1104b1af3a.html
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 1:29 pm
As someone born and raised in Wisconsin, I must say that hell has certainly frozen over!!!
First the Packers down the Bears on their way to a Superbowl championhip, and now Illinois politics is actually looking pretty mundane–dare I even say boring–compared to that in Wisconsin.
Will the miracles never cease??
train111
Comment by train111 Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 1:46 pm
Welcome Chi-town tourists!
On Saturday at 11:00 AM, don’t be surprised if you see a fairly good-sized group of men from Wisconsin sitting in a bunch at the AMC Loews movie theatre at 600 North Michigan, watching the Best Picture Showcase of 2011 Oscar Nominees. For $35, the theater screens five of this year’s ten Academy Award nominated films back-to-back. (Even includes a poster and a $10 AMC gift card.) Extra-large popcorn and drink not included.
That takes care of their Saturday schedule! Further suggestions?
Comment by Statewide Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 2:00 pm
Secret Square…look again at Gov. Cheesehead. His proposal has budget stuff cloaking basic union busting. Unions have said they’re willing to negotiate and accept cuts; Gov. Cheesehead wants to impose not only his cuts, but remove any right to bargain about them. Doesn’t seem too balanced or reasonable. Seems like Reagan and air traffic revisited only w/o an existing law. Cheeshead wants to establish that same type of law. Jumping out the window w/ Abe seems the only logical choice for the opposition if the Cheesehead will not come to the table.
Comment by D.P. Gumby Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 2:01 pm
What kind of open meetings law does WI have? In Illinois it would take a majority of a quorum, which would make these meetings OK.
Is there a limit to the number of meetings they can miss?
Comment by Plutocrat03 Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 2:02 pm
We can have BLAGO go up and mediate this thing!!!! Heck he can run for Governor of Wisconsin!!
Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 2:11 pm
This is beyond just a governor trying to do what’s best for his state. The budget was okay BEFORE Walker decided to assist his cronies and through his alleged pay to play ended up with a deficit. Then he turns on the state employees and teachers and rides roughshod over them to supposedly balance the budget on their backs.
(He has some resemblence to someone Illinois had that did what he wanted and to &*%$ with everyone especially certain state employees.)
It is somewhat comparable to our GA and Administrations who have not paid their bills, nor made their payments, but passed out their pork, kicked the can down the road, and all of sudden are laying our problems on the state employees backs. Illinois State employees however have defferred raises, and taken furlough days to help, but the Man wants more.
This is what makes this all so hard to swallow in both cases. When State employees are made the scape goats of legislative and adminstational malfeasance, misfeasance, and nonfeasance.
Comment by Irish Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 2:15 pm
DP, I did say that the union-busting provision of the legislation was “overreaching” on Walker’s part. The pension and health insurance concessions were reasonable. However they have now been overshadowed by the collective bargaining provisions.
Comment by Secret Square Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 2:16 pm
My favorite Tweet of the day: “Wisconsin story would get greater play if fugitive Dems were in a runaway balloon or leading a slow-speed chase.” Any chance they may turn up in the Patch before this madness is over?
Comment by Secret Square Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 2:21 pm
SS @ 2:21 - I think they are looking for a stretch white chevy blazer.
Comment by Irish Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 2:24 pm
“It’s 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark, and we’re wearing sunglasses.”
“Hit it.”
Comment by Secret Square Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 2:28 pm
Two things to remember here, and one to bear in mind:
First, Scott “Jobs Killer” Walker created his own fiscal crisis.
Second, he’s doing so to destroy long-held rights to collective bargaining, and he’s not alone. Republicans in Ohio, Tennessee, and other states are trying to pass similar legislation.
Third, Ohio is also fighting back.
Comment by Northsider Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 2:41 pm
@Irish:
What are you talking about? Walker just took office a few weeks ago. He was elected in November.
How did he create the Wisconsin deficit in such a short period of time?
Comment by Esquire Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 2:52 pm
Rich: do you know if there’s a similar law in Illinois? In other words, if a bunch of our legislators refused to go to Springfield, could the Governor or someone else go and find them and drag them back?
(Ignore for a moment the crazy idea that anyone wouldn’t jump at the chance to go to Springfield if given the chance)
Comment by Mr. Know-it-All Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 2:58 pm
Word,
Ain’t gonna lighten up, no sir. It’s too much fun watching these fools run away from their responsiblities. Makes ‘em look like whiners, crybabies. “We didn’t get our way, wah wah wah”.
I wonder how the republicans would have been viewed by those here if they blew off the tax vote in Springfield or the healthcare “reform” business in DC.
Do these dems think that this thing will blow away in a few days/weeks while they play hookey? Do they think that the republicans will somehow forget what’s going on? It is a stunt that won’t work - so why do it? Make ‘em look good back in the Madison coffeehouses? What marooons.
Comment by dupage dan Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 2:59 pm
Esquire, Irish is talking about the current fiscal year’s budget, which was apparently balanced when Walker took office and then unbalanced when he passed some new programs. There is a big deficit projected for the coming fiscal year of over $3 billion.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 2:59 pm
Why does Cullerton issue these snotty, foolish statements? He may think it’s clever, but it’s really not. He must really be smarting from the fallout over the lame-duck to be acting in such a childish fashion.
Comment by Jim Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 2:59 pm
The editorial board of the Milwaukee Journal, not known for its conservatism, is backing Walker. I do not have a budget spread sheet, but Walker has claimed that he inherited a deficit for the current fiscal year and he repeated that on television today.
Comment by Esquire Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 3:20 pm
–I wonder how the republicans would have been viewed by those here if they blew off the tax vote in Springfield or the healthcare “reform” business in DC.–
A Constitutional scholar like yourself knows, of course, that such actions would have been irrelevant because in Congress and the Illinois GA a simple majority constitutes a quorum.
In the instances you cite, the presence of the GOP minority was irrelevant (so true in Illinois, in so many ways).
Wisconsin has different rules. And they are rules, and they are being used to maximum advantage by the minority.
Again, the history of the United States is full of examples where crafty legislators of all parties, including a “coward” and “maroon,” in your words, Whig like Abe Lincoln maximized the rules to their advantage. It’s called representative democracy.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 3:26 pm
Here is some more information about Wisconsin’s 2-year budget cycle, and further evidence that “Jobs Killer” made it all up.
Comment by Northsider Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 3:28 pm
they are certainly welcome to stay under their new fiscal year (june?)! they’re heroes to a grateful nation…
Comment by bored now Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 3:29 pm
- I wonder how the republicans would have been viewed by those here if they blew off the tax vote in Springfield or the healthcare “reform” business in DC. -
Yes, the Republicans in Congress showed outstanding courage and willingness to work together as they roughly tripled the record for the number of filibusters used in a session.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 3:35 pm
the Illinois GOP might as well have stayed home. Nice of them to show up for their per diems.
Comment by anon Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 3:43 pm
For those who prefer to get their info from places other than Twitter: Salon has a decent article on the WI fiscal mess– advising that their budget woes are real and serious. Also, Ezra Klein has updated and backtracked on some of his earlier statements in the WaPo this morning which claimed the WI Governor ginned up the 2011 deficit. He later wrote, “I’ve been persuaded that the surplus-to-deficit picture is more complicated that I initially understood.”
http://www.salon.com/technology/how_the_world_works/2011/02/18/wisconsins_budget_woes_are_real/index.html?source=rss&aim=/tech/htww
Comment by Responsa Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 3:44 pm
I can’t get over how many of the same people on here that perpetually whine about the big bad Dems in Illinois not letting the Republicans have a say in anything are the biggest critics of the Wisconsin Democrats. You should be cheering them on, the minority is managing to stop something from happening, at least for the moment. This is your dream.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 3:45 pm
Interesting that Gov. Quinn would say “In Illinois, we always believed in working together as a team and not kicking somebody in the shins,” Quinn added. Public employees, like teachers, “deserve some respect.” Didn’t he have one of his legislative cronies introduce a bill in the last session that would strip collective bargaining rights from some Illinois state employees?
Comment by Anon Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 3:51 pm
- Didn’t he have one of his legislative cronies introduce a bill in the last session that would strip collective bargaining rights from some Illinois state employees? -
Obviously you don’t get your Illinois news here very often. The answer is no.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 3:52 pm
Actually, that’s a bit unfair. The bill removed certain employees from the union, but it’s nothing like what Walker is doing.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 3:54 pm
There’s something that I’ve yet to adequately understand, and perhaps I can soon get clarification.
Why must collective bargaining rights be greatly reduced or eliminated when tough anti-union negotiations can be carried out, with pension reform and other cuts, while collective bargaining is preserved?
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 3:58 pm
Cullerton’s press releases say more about Cullerton than Walker. The tone is sophomoric and beneath the office he holds.
Comment by Old Milwaukee Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 3:59 pm
Esquire - There were several different estimates on what the current fiscal budget would be. The Wisconsin budget Bureau projected there might actually be a surplus.
However once Gov. Walker got in office he pushed through several tax cuts that heavily favored big business. ( and possibly paid back supporters, alleged) Those tax cuts lost the state tens of millions of dollars of revenue which either created or exacerbated the manageable deficit, dependent on whose projections you use. Some say he did this so there would be a need for a budget repair bill which he would then use to get more of what he and his supporters wanted. ie; take benefits from state union workers.
He apparently thought as did Gov. Christie that if you made it attractive enough business would immediately jump in with money and turn the economy around overnight and the new revenues would make up the difference. Neither understands that in this economy you shouldn’t knock out your foundation until at least some supports are in place.
Comment by Irish Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 4:09 pm
–[Quinn] says the Wisconsin Democrats are welcome to stay here until Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, in Quinn’s words, “comes to his senses.”–
Good for Quinn.
He’s taken a lot of stuff — without provocation — from these Fox-News-Tea-Party-GOP-governor-wannabe-president-dreamboats.
Walker, Daniels, Christie — what goes around….
It’s about time we started throwing some elbows in the paint.
On Wisconsin!
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 4:16 pm
Hey I got no problem with what they are doing. They are using the democratic tools in their belt to delay something they oppose. Good for them. Besides who is really going to notice a few more Democrats in Illinois?
Gotta tell you though, if they were smart, they escape to Miami and spend a few days in the sun before heading back.
Comment by Jaded Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 4:20 pm
Irish: You can justly argue that Walker’s tax cuts will have a deficit effect down the road. But in just 2 months they have not done so yet–and they are not the cause of the 2011 deficit. This is more than a technicality when people are basically accusing him of malfeasance as a way to “break the union”.
From Ezra Klein: “the surplus-to-deficit picture is more complicated that I initially understood. The budget report is working with two time periods simultaneously: 2010-2011, and then 2011-13. The $130 million deficit now projected for 2011 isn’t the fault of the tax breaks passed during Walker’s special session, though his special session created about $120 million in deficit spending between 2011 and 2013 — and perhaps more than that, if his policies are extended. That is to say, the deficit spending he created in his special session is about equal to the deficit Wisconsin faces this year, but it’s not technically correct to say that Walker created 2011’s deficit. Rather, he added $120 million to the 2011-2013 deficits, and perhaps more in the years after that.”
Comment by Responsa Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 4:29 pm
If the Wisconsin budget deficit was overestimated and there’s actually a surplus, or the deficit was created by a loss of big-business tax revenue, I can’t wait to hear what Gov. Walker says.
Public unions are a way for poorer people to organize and fight for better livelihoods. From what I understand, Republicans have very rich and powerful funding sources, and they’re doing the same thing that unions are doing–fighting to get as much as possible. In light of this, it’s not a fair fight, by any stretch, so Democratic legislators leaving Wisconsin does not seem so bad.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 4:40 pm
I have worked 6 out of the last 24 months, if only had a job I could run from and still get paid.
Comment by conda67 Friday, Feb 18, 11 @ 4:50 pm